The latest market research from Strategy Analytics shows that Apple maintained its top ranking in tablet sales in Q2 2011 but competition is increasing quickly as other players jump into the market. Global tablet sales jumped from 3.5 million in Q2 2010 to 15.1 million in Q2 2011, a 331 percent increase.
It is no surprise that Apple remains on top, having shipped 9.3 million iPads for a 61 percent market share. Apple’s market share has been eroded from the 94 percent the same quarter a year ago by the fast-climbing Android OS which saw its market share soar from 2.9 to 30.1 percent. According to Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics:
Multiple Android models distributed across multiple countries by multiple brands such as Samsung, Acer, Asus, Motorola and others are driving volumes. However, no Android vendor yet offers a blockbuster model to rival the iPad, and demand for many Android vendors’ products remains patchy. If Amazon decides to enter the Android tablet category later this year, that will bring fresh excitement and buzz to the Android community, but Amazon will need to deliver a truly standout offering if it really wants to make headway against the popular iPad.”
Microsoft and RIM are locked in a battle for third. Microsoft has a 4.6 percent market share despite not having a tablet-centric operating system and RIM follows with a 3.3 percent share for its BlackBerry PlayBook.
It remains to be seen if and how HP with its just launched webOS-powered HP TouchPad will influence these numbers going forward.